Food is an important part of Chinese culture, hence a lot of thought is put into the menu for New Year’s Eve dinner, the most significant feast of the Chinese. Every food item, every dish, symbolizes wishes for prosperity, good luck, and happiness. Some of the premier restaurants and hotels in Metro Manila usher in the bountiful Year of the Earth Pig with auspicious feasts.
Red Ginger
Flavors of the Lunar New Year can be savored at Red Ginger, located in City of Dreams, for the whole month of February.
The contemporary Southeast Asian restaurant puts into spotlight its Lunar Festive Menu consisting of Ginger Poached Chicken with Spring Onion Oil; Braised Pork Pata with Sotanghon and Baby Bokchoy; Tiger Prawn with Butter Pumpkin Curry Sauce; Black Pepper Flower Crab with Winter melon; and Claypot Pla Pla Fish with Chestnut and Taro.
For an individual who likes to enjoy a Yu Sheng salad, Red Ginger is serving a Mini Yu Sheng from Feb. 5 to 7.
Call (02) 800-8080 for inquiries.
Passion Cantonese Restaurant
A set of eight miniature koi and gold ingots tikoy is available at Passion Cantonese Restaurant in Maxims Hotel, Resorts World Manila. Passion’s Lucky Tikoy comes in an elegant oriental gift box, perfect for gifting. It’s available until Feb. 5.
Call (02) 908-8833 for inquiries.
Café Eight
Celebrate Chinese New Year at Crimson Hotel’s Café Eight which serves A Feast of Prosperity buffet spread composed of Octopus Salad, Kung Pao Chicken, Dim Sum, Braised Pork Belly, Vegetable Spring Roll, Chili Garlic Prawns, and more. The special themed buffet will be served from Feb. 1 to 10.
The Filinvest City-based hotel’s in-house restaurant will also showcase a Dumpling Festival. A variety of dim sum will be available in both the buffet’s dumpling station and ala carte menu.
Call (02) 863-2222 for inquiries.
Crystal Dragon
City of Dreams Manila’s upscale Chinese restaurant highlights symbolic and premium renditions of the traditional Yu Sheng salad with a fruity twist: the Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng with Fruit Salad available in medium and large servings; and the Shredded Roasted Duck with Fresh Fruit Salad with dressing in medium and large.
Yu Sheng salad or Lo Hei is said to have been originated from a Cantonese phrase which means “tossing up good fortune.” It customarily uses raw fish to symbolize abundance. Crystal Dragon’s Yu Sheng salad with abalone symbolizes good fortune while the one with duck signifies fertility, mixed with brightly colored fruits that denote wealth, youth, happiness, and long life.
Crystal Dragon also serves Poon Choi menu which consists of Stewed Abalone Poon Choi Cantonese Style and Stewed Tiger Prawn Poon Choi Cantonese Style. Poon Choi in Cantonese is known as “basin dish,” and was historically served to emperors in ancient China. It signifies prosperity and affluence, and is composed of a generous assortment of premium ingredients.
The Chinese restaurant also serves ala carte menu and two set menus (six-course Happiness Set Menu and seven-course Magnificent Set Menu) good for a minimum of five persons.
Nian Gao, or locally known as tikoy, is an excellent way to cap the meal. This sticky and sweet delicacy is made from glutinous rice flour, and is known to signify unity and togetherness.
These specialty menus are available today until Feb. 19.
Jasmine Restaurant
Feast on traditional Chinese New Year favorites prepared by award-winning Chinese executive chef Wong Kam On. Jasmine serves authentic Chinese cuisine including Roasted Suckling Pig, Steamed Live Garoupa, handmade dumplings, and many more.
New World Hotel’s Chinese restaurant also serves Salmon Fish Yu Sheng and a big bowl of Poon Choi for good luck.
Festive set menus at Jasmine is available from Feb. 1 to 10, while limited ala carte menu will be offered from Feb. 3 to 6. Yum Cha lunch is also available with unlimited chilled juices, soda, and local beer.
Jasmine is also offering auspicious tikoy expertly handcrafted by Chef Wong Sing To and his team. It comes in round and koi shapes, beautifully packaged to bring luck and prosperity to the recipient. It’s available until Feb. 8.
Call (02) 811-6888 for inquiries.